Our Expert: Mikkel Becker

We love our pets — often, they are like family to us. But when a family dynamic is damaged by abuse or neglect, pets can suffer just like their humans. In domestic abuse, an abuser often exploits a…View Full Post ›

Fear, stress and anxiety are at the root of many problem behaviors in cats and dogs — and in some cases, human behavior is the direct cause of a pet’s actions. Many pet owners fail to understand…View Full Post ›

Is your dog easily distracted? Does he spend your entire walk lunging at squirrels and barking at people? Is he unable to to pass a brightly colored umbrella or a playing child without wanting to…View Full Post ›

Most dogs are naturally good at following their noses: They can often track everything from a dead mouse in your yard to the turkey sandwich you left unattended on the kitchen counter. This ability…View Full Post ›

You can train your dog to do a lot of cool things, like give you a hug or pick up his toys. But it's also worthwhile to teach him some practical tricks, like how to turn on command. "Turn" can be…View Full Post ›

Your dog loves the dog park, and you love taking him there to play. But you both need to be on your best behavior while you’re there. Here are six simple ways to be a good dog park citizen and help…View Full Post ›

Spending time with a pet can be a valuable experience for a child. My 7-year-old daughter, Reagan, has been around dogs her entire life. From the moment she came home from the hospital, our two Pugs,…View Full Post ›

Our friendly, happy puppy hates having his fur brushed — he will run and hide when he sees the brush come out. What can we do to get him used to being groomed?Dogs tend to remember experiences that…View Full Post ›

It can be hard to resist giving a dog — yours or someone else’s — a hug. If your dog enjoys being physically close to you, a hug can make you both feel happy and loved.But not all dogs like hugs. For…View Full Post ›

Is it possible to train my cat to drink out of her water dish rather than the sink?A cat that drinks out of the faucet can be adorable — but she can also be a nuisance if she’s hopping into the sink…View Full Post ›

My cat likes to hide under our couch and claw at the underside of it. It's driving me crazy. Can I get him to stop?You absolutely can teach your cat to not use your furniture as a scratching post —…View Full Post ›

Our dog is a determined squirrel hunter. He hasn’t caught any, but he loves to follow their scent and chase them. It’s like he’s obsessed! Is there a way to teach him to leave the squirrels alone?…View Full Post ›